Study shows willpower traits appear to be lifelong for some people
(Medical Xpress) -- In an interesting and unique study, researchers have followed up on an experiment conducted several decades ago designed to point out the varying levels of willpower in nursery school age children. Back then, the children were given either a marshmallow or cookie and told if they held off eating it, theyd get another a little while later when the researcher returned. Now adults, some of those original subjects have been tested again, this time using reactions to faces in photographs instead of an edible treat; and lo and behold, even after forty years, the results were very nearly the same. Those that showed willpower as youngsters, did so again as adults, while those that showed little willpower back then didnt appear to gain any in the interim. The team, led by B.J. Casey and comprised of psychology researchers from a variety of universities, has published the results...